Adapter for Docking a Consumer Electronic Device in Discrete Orientations

• US 20080165478A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McCoy, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,018,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/681
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment

Abstract

A modular system comprises an appliance conducting a useful cycle of operation, a consumer electronic device removably mounted to the appliance and having a user interface for controlling a primary function of the consumer electronic device, and an adapter mounting the consumer electronic device to the appliance for movement between a first orientation, where the user interface is accessible to a user, and a second orientation, where the user interface is inaccessible to the user.

Claims

1-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A modular system for mounting to a host and providing at least a first service selected from a power service and a data service to a modular system, the modular system comprising:

a portable consumer electronic device adapted to use at least a second service selected from a power service and a data service and having a user interface for controlling a primary function of the consumer electronic device; and

an adapter comprising;

an adapter main body adapted to hold the consumer electronic device and to be moveably mounted to the host and moveable when the adapter is mounted to the host and the consumer electronic device is mounted to the adapter for movement between a first orientation, where the user interface of the consumer electronic device is accessible to a user, and a second orientation, where the user interface is inaccessible to the user wherein inaccessibility of the second orientation comprises at least one of physical, operational, and functional inaccessibility;

a first adapter interface depending from the adapter main body and adapted to receive the at least first service from the host, and

a second adapter interface depending from the adapter main body and adapted to provide the at least second service to the consumer electronic device.

33. The modular system of claim 32, wherein the adapter main body comprises an articulated support frame for selectively moving the consumer electronic device into a storage enclosure to place the consumer electronic device in the second orientation, and removing the consumer electronic device from the storage enclosure to place the consumer electronic device in the first orientation.

34. The modular system of claim 32, wherein the adapter main body comprises a movable arm for selectively extending the consumer electronic device away from the host and retracting the consumer electronic device adjacent the host.

35. An adapter for removably mounting a consumer electronic device using at least a first service selected from a power service and a data service and having a user interface for controlling a primary function of the consumer electronic device to a host providing at least a second service and conducting a useful cycle of operation, the adapter comprising:

an adapter main body capable of being mounted to the host and adapted to removably hold the consumer electronic device for movement between a first orientation, where the user interface is accessible to a user, and a second orientation, where the user interface is inaccessible to the user wherein inaccessibility of the second orientation comprises at least one of physical, operational, and functional inaccessibility;

a first adapter interface depending from the adapter main body and adapted to receive the second service from the host; and

a second adapter interface depending from the adapter main body and adapted to provide the first service to the consumer electronic device.

36. The adapter of claim 35, wherein the adapter main body is selected from:

a container which is open in the first orientation and closed in the second orientation;

an articulated support frame for selectively moving the consumer electronic device into a storage enclosure to place the consumer electronic device in the second orientation, and removing the consumer electronic device from the storage enclosure to place the consumer electronic device in the first orientation; and

a movable arm for selectively extending the consumer electronic device away from the host and retracting the consumer electronic device adjacent the host.

37. An adapter for removably mounting to a host and for removably holding a portable electronic device having a display, the adapter comprising:

an adapter main body capable of being removably mounted to the host and capable of removably supporting the portable electronic device;

a storage compartment at least partially defined by the adapter main body;

an articulated support frame for the main body selectively articulating relative to the host when the adapter is mounted to the host between a first orientation where the display is substantially outside of the storage compartment, and a second orientation where the display is contained within the storage compartment.

38. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the articulated support frame pivots the consumer electronic device about at least one horizontal axis to move the consumer electronic device between the first orientation and the second orientation.

39. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the articulated support frame pivots the consumer electronic device about at least one axis and linearly translates the consumer electronic device to move the consumer electronic device between the first orientation and the second orientation.

40. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the articulated support frame pivots the consumer electronic device about at least two axes to move the consumer electronic device between the first orientation and the second orientation.

41. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the adapter comprises a movable arm for selectively extending the consumer electronic device away from the host and retracting the consumer electronic device adjacent the host.

42. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the adapter supplies at least one service to the consumer electronic device.

43. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the host provides at least a first service to the adapter and the adapter provides at least a second service to the consumer electronic device.

44. The adapter of claim 37, wherein the articulated support frame pivots the consumer electronic device about at least one vertical axis to move the consumer electronic device between the first orientation and the second orientation.

45. An adapter for removably mounting to a host conducting a useful cycle of operation and for removably holding a portable electronic device having a display, the adapter comprising:

an adapter frame capable of being removably mounted to the host; and

an arm movably mounted to the adapter frame and capable of removably supporting the portable electronic device, for selectively extending the consumer electronic device away from the host in a first orientation extending from the host and retracting the consumer electronic device to a second orientation adjacent the host.

46. The adapter of claim 45, wherein the at least one axis comprises a vertical axis.

47. The adapter of claim 45, wherein the host provides at least a first service to the adapter and the adapter provides at least a second service to the consumer electronic device.

48. The adapter of claim 45, wherein, in the second orientation, the display is received within a recess in the adapter.

49. The adapter of claim 45, wherein the arm further comprises a pivot connection for pivoting the consumer electronic device about at least one axis.